2023 Top — Disney Movies

Audiences and critics praised the film for its emotional depth, exceptional visual effects, and satisfying character arcs, making it a definitive highlight for Marvel Studios in 2023. 2. The Little Mermaid $569.6 Million

| Film | Studio/Label | Release Date (US) | Short summary | Box-office & reception | Key cast/creative | Why it mattered | |---|---:|---:|---|---:|---|---| | Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania | Marvel Studios | Feb 17, 2023 | Third Ant-Man film; Scott Lang faces Kang the Conqueror and multiversal stakes. | Huge global gross for a Phase 5 opener; mixed-to-positive reviews focusing on spectacle and villain. | Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Jonathan Majors (Kang); dir. Peyton Reed | Introduced Kang as MCU multiverse antagonist with major franchise consequences. | | The Little Mermaid (live-action) | Walt Disney Pictures | May 26, 2023 | Live-action remake of the 1989 animated classic, centered on Ariel. | Very strong box office; polarized critical reaction but praised for performances and musical moments. | Halle Bailey (Ariel), Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem; dir. Rob Marshall | High-profile remake—commercial success and cultural conversation on casting and modernization. | | Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny | Lucasfilm | June 30, 2023 | Final outing for Indiana Jones (franchise send-off); treasure-hunt adventure with time-related MacGuffin. | Major release with substantial box office but mixed reviews; noted as Harrison Ford’s swan song. | Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge; dir. James Mangold | End of an era for the iconic franchise; bittersweet fanfare. | | Elemental | Pixar Animation Studios | June 16, 2023 | Romantic/dramatic story set in a city where people are embodiments of elements (Fire, Water, Earth, Air). | Solid box office and generally positive reviews for visual worldbuilding and emotional core. | Voices: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie; dir. Peter Sohn | Original-concept Pixar with emphasis on community, identity, and empathy. | | The Marvels | Marvel Studios | Nov 10, 2023 | Sequel/ensemble linking Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau with cosmic threats. | Strong brand visibility; mixed critical reception and uneven box-office vs. expectations. | Brie Larson, Iman Vellani, Teyonah Parris; dir. Nia DaCosta | Expanded MCU cosmic roster and introduced character-team dynamics. | | Wish | Walt Disney Animation Studios | Nov 22, 2023 | Original animated musical exploring the origin of the “wishing star,” blending classic Disney musical elements with modern sensibilities. | Positive to mixed reviews; noted for stylized animation and homage to Disney’s legacy. | Voices: Ariana DeBose; dir. Chris Buck & Fawn Veerasunthorn | Disney Animation’s centennial-era celebration of franchise themes and visuals. | | Strange World | Walt Disney Animation Studios | Nov 23, 2022 (limited late 2022) — notable in early 2023 discussions | (Included because it influenced 2023 Disney animation discourse) Adventure in an unknown world; family legacy themes. | Underperformed theatrically but gained niche fan appreciation. | Voices: Jake Gyllenhaal; dir. Don Hall | Example of Disney taking creative risks in animation storytelling. |

2023 was a strong year for Disney, delivering a mix of nostalgic live-action remakes, fresh animated adventures, and late-year family films that balanced heart, humor, and spectacle. Below are standout Disney releases from 2023, why they worked, and who should watch them. disney movies 2023 top

: Initially struggling at the box office, this Pixar film became a "sleeper hit," showing remarkable endurance to gross nearly [11]. It also became the most-watched movie premiere of 2023 on Disney+ with 26.4 million views in its first five days [4]. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

“Marvel fatigue appeared evident in 2023, with The Marvels earning the lowest MCU opening to date.” Audiences and critics praised the film for its

Praised as Pixar's "gem to rise above" other 2023 releases. (November 22)

: A critically acclaimed romantic comedy from Searchlight Pictures that became a standout on and Disney+ [1, 6]. : A highly-rated Disney Original Movie | Huge global gross for a Phase 5

: A live-action remake of the 1989 classic, featuring Halle Bailey in a performance widely regarded as the film's highlight.